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Two bodies have been found inside the sunken Bayesian superyacht as the search continues for four others who are missing.
The boat sank in a severe storm in the early hours of Monday, with those missing including British billionaire Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, Morgan Stanley chairman Jonathan Bloomer; his wife, Judy Bloomer; Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo; and his wife, Neda Morvillo.
Fire crews described the operation as “complex”, with divers limited to 12-minute underwater shifts, with debris hampering efforts to access the cabins.
The brother of Mr Bloomer has shared his hopes that air pockets might be keeping them alive.
Jeremy Bloomer said: “It’s a slow process and it will take time. So there might be air pockets, but we don’t know. It’s still wait and see, so fingers crossed.”
Divers from the Sicilian fire services were able to reach the common areas of the vessel, Giornale Di Sicilia reported yesterday – but they are yet to make it to the cabins.
One man has so far been confirmed dead, Recaldo Thomas, while a further 15 people survived the incident.
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Bodies reportedly found behind mattresses
According to reports in Italian media, the two bodies were found inside the boat behind two mattresses.
They are the second and third victims to be found, after chef Recaldo Thomas was recovered from the water on Monday.
Holly Evans21 August 2024 14:57
Several boats leave Porticello to go to sinking site
Several boats have left the port of Porticello to go to the site of the sinking.
They left the port at the same time shortly before 3.30pm on Wednesday.
Holly Evans21 August 2024 14:44
Source says one of the two bodies is that of a ‘heavily built man’
Rescue teams have not confirmed the identities of the drowned people, who were recovered after a three-day search operation involving specialist divers.
A source has said that one of the bodies was that of a “heavily built man”.
Six passengers had been missing after the boat capsized, including British billionaire Mike Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, Morgan Stanley chairman Jonathan Bloomer; his wife, Judy Bloomer; Clifford Chance lawyer Chris Morvillo; and his wife, Neda Morvillo.
Holly Evans21 August 2024 14:37
Survivors reportedly turn down counselling
Survivors of the Bayesian reportedly have turned down psychological support.
Salvo Cocina, president of the Civil Protection Agency in Sicily, told MailOnline: “We wanted to make sure that everyone was offered every kind of help they might need, but no-one from the passengers or the crew accepted counselling.”
He added that they still hoped the six people are alive, saying:“The operation is not complete – we don’t differentiate between rescue and recovery in these circumstances, because the people are still in the boat.
“The divers have not yet reached the cabins, so we have not yet given up hope that there may be air pockets in their keeping them alive.”
Holly Evans21 August 2024 14:30
Breaking: Two bodies found inside Bayesian yacht
Divers scouring the wreck of the luxury yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily have found the bodies of two of the six passengers who were missing, a source close to the matter said.
The boat, owned by the wife of British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, was carrying 22 passengers and crew and was anchored off the port of Porticello, near Palermo, when it capsized during a fierce, pre-dawn storm on Monday.
Holly Evans21 August 2024 14:28
Divers with head torches seen entering the water
Divers from the local fire service were seen entering the water with torches attached to their headgear at the site of the shipwreck on Wednesday afternoon.
A police boat and divers were also seen entering the water.
The boats spent a short time at the scene before heading back to the nearby port.
A helicopter hovered overhead.
Holly Evans21 August 2024 14:23
CCTV footage shows the moment missing tycoon Mike Lynch’s Bayesian yacht is engulfed by storm
CCTV footage has shown the moment a storm off the coast of Sicily engulfed the Bayesian luxury yacht carrying 22 people.
The tall mast of the craft can be seen in the black-and-white footage, as rain appears to be…
Read More: Mike Lynch yacht sinking live: Two bodies found inside Bayesian boat sunken off